Drinks

Kokopelli Winery & Bistro opens in Surprise

by Erin Zlomek - Jul. 22, 2008 02:48 PMThe Arizona Republic

Wall-length wine racks and merchandise such as a yellow caution sign that reads "wino xing" with an illustration of a person on its hands and knees, greet customers at the front door of Surprise's Kokopelli Winery & Bistro.

The restaurant opened its doors to the general public Monday evening.

The retail portion of the outlet is expected to account for nearly 65 percent of the venue's sales. Positioned between a hotel, hospital, grocery store and gas station, local foot traffic is likely to be heavier than at Kokopelli's flagship eatery in downtown Chandler, said part owner Melissa Minchella.

Both restaurants are themed after the Minchella family's vineyard near Willcox. The family is long credited as pioneer grape growers in the Arizona heat. Come fall, the restaurant will likely offer motor-coach tours of the vineyard leaving from the Surprise outlet, 14719 W. Grand Ave.

Inside the restaurant's retail area, which Melissa estimates is four times the size of its counterpart in Chandler, locally made candy, glassware and salsa are sold alongside the homegrown wine. Just beyond, leather booths and cherrywood furniture seat the venue's lunch and dinner crowds.

"We've been waiting for it to open. We've been watching," said Ann Baugh of Buckeye.

Baugh came for dinner with friends who discovered the vineyard's signature drinks at a craft festival in Fountain Hills. Festivals, grape crushes, wine tastings and wine-production tours are also a big part of the Kokopelli brand. The Surprise outlet is built around a grass and brick courtyard meant to host such events, which will start in the fall. Many of those are expected to take place during baseball's spring training season, drawing crowds of tourists from Surprise Stadium.

In its opening evening, the venue hosted about 120 diners during special hours. Kokopelli will be open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.